I went into this one knowing nothing about it. I’d say that’s the case for 90% of my movie going experience. So, I was looking through my stacks of movies and ran across this one. I’d forgotten I’d had it. The name was a little weak… what the hell is Pontypool? Hell, I don’t know, do you? So I looked at it and it turns out it’s about Canadian Zombies. Go figure.

Now, I’ve got nothing against Canadians, in fact I bet they are pretty cool people to hang out with. But Canadian Zombies? That’s an easy win. There’s an odd thing about this one though. You don’t see a single shuffler until you’re almost half way through the movie. It’s pretty damn suspenseful for a Zombie flick. Usually you get some cheap scares here and there… but this one really builds up the fear.

It’s a group of people at a radio station doing what they do. Talking.

That’s what this movie boils down to, talking. I get it. I got it. If you watch this, you’ll get it to. If you don’t, you’re one of them.

I'm Thinking Dammit!

The radio host (stealing the show) is none other than Stephen McHattie. He plays Grant Mazzy, a fading radio host who lost his big show and is now forced to work in Pontypool. He also wears a cowboy hat. Now, I may not be up to date on everything that goes on in this world, but his situation sure does bare a striking resemblance to Don Imus.

Don Imus, if you may or may not recall, lost his radio show for using a few choice words that he probably would have been better off not saying. Grant Mazzy is no doubt in the same boat. He starts his radio show off with a bit of controversy in a town of 65,000 people. He’s gone from millions of listeners to a paltry 65,000. It’s all he has left.

Now, I don’t think for a minute this movie is really going after Don Imus specifically. No, I think the movie is going after all the idiots who don’t think before they speak. They allow their words to soak in without an real thought of consequences. They make a few quick remarks off the cuff and the less than take it as the word of god.

I’d like to say it was terribly refreshing for the first half. It was a bold way to do a horror movie. They report the horrible happenings that are going on throughout the town but are unable to see any of it. All we know are bits an pieces and can only guess as to what is really happening. I kept seeing myself in that same position, thinking, “I’m getting the hell out of this two-bit town!” but our heroes stayed. And they reported. I was honestly worried about the outcome of their lives.

Then… the second half starts and it gets just a bit… preachy. Being from Texas, I think I know a thing or two about that. No matter how conservative or liberal you are… it’s just born within you. You grow up with it and you die with it. I need to escape with a movie, not relive my day. It’s probably not a failing of the movie itself, more of a failing of me to look passed it. I kept thinking to myself, “Are they talking about America? Well why the hell are they bagging America!!!” They may, or may not have been…

You Talk to Much

At any rate, it’s a bit odd to talk about a movie with Zombies but really not have much to say about the Zombies in this film. I’d say that’s a damn successful Zombie film. Really, there’s just not much to say about them at all. They were sort of there but had very little meaning to the movie itself. I know there’s some big movie term for that, but I can’t recall it.

I’d also like to point out the Zombies are actually “Conversationalists.” Direct from the Director. That’s a Canadian film for you though.